1/2 Hans van Baest and Jochen Krause. (Photo: Leon Voskamp)
Tilburg Trappers started the quarterfinals of the play-offs on Friday evening with a 5-3 win on Tölzer Löwen. For a long time the Tilburg ice hockey players cannot enjoy the victory, because on Tuesday the second game is scheduled in Bad Tölz, more than 800 kilometers. The supporters of Tilburg Trappers are proud of their team. “So many matches shortly after each other and then at such a pace, that’s great,” says Hans van Baest.
Hans is at the entrance to the Tilburg IJssportcentrum at a stall with fan articles. He has been a loyal supporter of Tilburg Trappers for fifteen years. “But I am especially a fan of the game. Ice hockey is the most beautiful team sport in the world. Those guests can take a beating and the playing schedule is very busy. Not to be compared with football, for example. In fact, football players are never allowed to whine again.”
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His mate Jochen Krause is originally from Germany and bought his first season ticket in Tilburg ten years ago. “I live in Rijen and together with a friend we went to look at Tilburg Trappers. We were curious about the level and the atmosphere. A season ticket was not that expensive at that time. I liked it and I am still there. There is a lot of respect for the players. After tonight they play in Germany, Tuesday in Tilburg and that while those guests are just Semiprf.”
“We want to become a champion and are well on our way.”
After the championship in the Oberliga Nord, Tilburg Trappers now plays the play-offs for the overall Oberliga title, the third level in Germany. The last time the Tilburgers succeeded was in 2018. In the Play-Offs it will find teams from the Oberliga Süd. “We want to become champions and are on the road well. But it will be difficult, because there are clubs with a higher budget in southern Germany. Tilburg Trappers has increased the entire level in Oberliga Nord. In the past, those clubs were hopeless, but there was good investment to boost the level.”
Hans agrees with these words. “Normally the clubs in the south are better. But in the play-offs things are often different than in the competition.”
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With a spectacular light show, the audience was warmed up for the first quarter -final match. Despite the vocal support from the stands and a meter-large banner, it remained 0-0 in the first period. Then the Tilburgers took a 3-0 lead, but in the end it became exciting. In the third period, the final decision fell a few seconds before the end: 5-3.
“I am confident that we will reach the final,” says Tilburger Ad van den Broek. “Although other clubs have more budget, we can get far. I think a championship is a difficult story.”
A neighbor in the stands is completely dressed in the club colors of Tilburg Trappers. He is looking forward to a big party at the end of April. “We have already become champions, I know they can do it. Just write it down, it will happen again this season.”
